Yesterday was the offense, today is the defense. Same format, 1 starter for each position (in a 3-4 defense) and 1 back-up on the 2nd team.

Defensive Ends

1st team – Andre Carter, New England Patriots (32 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 FF) – Carter was a great acquisition for the Pats and thus far has outshined big names such as Haynseworth and Ellis. Carter’s 4.5 sacks is tied for tops among defensive ends in the division.

1st team – Dwan Edwards, Buffalo Bills (34 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 PD) – Edwards, the former Raven, has been a solid force among the Bills new 3-4 D-Line since they signed him back in 2010. He leads all AFC East DEs in tackles and is a good mentor for young players like Marcell Dareus and Alex Carrington

2nd team – Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets (20 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL, 1 PD) – Wilkerson has fought off injury to become an effective 3-4 end for the Jets. His 3 TFL are among the best for AFC East DEs.

2nd team – Mark Anderson, New England Patriots (10 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 PD) – Anderson might not have had as many tackles as the rest of the guys on the list but he is tied with teammate Andre Carter with 4.5 sacks.

Defensive Tackles

1st team – Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots (23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF) – Wilfork has been one of the most versatile defenders in football thanks to his two surprise INTs this year. It doesn’t matter whatever else is going on around him, big Vince is always a force in the middle for the New England defense.

2nd team – Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills (24 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF) – Dareus is the first and only rookie named to my All-AFC East team. He leads all AFCE DTs in sacks with 3.5 and is the Bills best defender against the run on the front line.

Outside Linebackers

1st team – Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins (20 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 PD) – People might forget that Wake is still a beast due to him playing on the Dolphins below par defense but Wake is the sack leader for the entire AFC East. Makes you wonder what he was doing in Canada all those years.

1st team – Calvin Pace, New York Jets (35 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 PD, 1 INT, 2 FF) – Pace does it all for the Jets defense on the outside. He gets sacks, defends the pass well and is as good as anyone against the run. He’s the most versatile outside linebacker in the AFC East.

2nd team – Rob Ninkovich, New England Patriots (37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF) – Ninkovich has been a solid starter for the Pats this season with a team LB high for tackles and sacks. Was rewarded with a contract extension.

2nd team – Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots (33 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FR) – Despite being injured for parts of the first half of the season Mayo is still a tackle machine for the Pats, even after kicking to the outside this season.

Inside Linebackers

1st team – David Harris, New York Jets (42 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 PD, 2 INTs) – Harris might be the best middle linebacker in the game right now. Equally strong against the pass and the run, Harris can plug up a hole or cover a tight end if need be.

1st team – Nick Barnett, Buffalo Bills (67 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL, 3 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF) – Barnett has been the exact type of versatile linebacker that the Bills envisioned when they signed him to replace the underachieving Paul Posluzny. One of the few playmakers in the Bills front seven.

2nd team – Bart Scott, New York Jets (39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 FF) – The loud talking, hard-hitting Scott has been himself this year, yapping up a storm and racking up tackles.

2nd team – Kevin Burnett, Miami Dolphins (46 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 TFL, 1 PD) – The former Charger Burnett beats out Brandon Spikes for the last ILB spot due to his play behind the line of scrimmage.

Cornerbacks

1st team – Darrelle Revis, New York Jets (24 tackles, 12 PD, 4 INTs) – This easiest no-brainer on the board. The numbers are unreal…12 passes defended through 8 games? 4 INTs already and he is hardly thrown to. Hands down the best Cornerback in the NFL right now and one of the best ever.

1st team – Kyle Arrington, New England Patriots (43 tackles, 1 TFL, 7 PD, 5 INTs) – Arrington has been inconsistent, as has been pretty much every CB in the division besides Revis, but his ball-hawking skills have served him well as he leads all AFCE players in INTs.

2nd team – Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets (23 tackles, 7 PD, 3 INTs, 1 FF) – Cromartie is one of those infuriating players who struggles at times despite having all the talent in the world. When he’s on, he’s on.

2nd team – Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo Bills (28 tackles, 6 PD, 1 INT, 1 FR) – McKelvin has been the strongest of a talented but inconsistent group of Bills cornerbacks in the early going.

Strong Safeties

1st team – George Wilson, Buffalo Bills (71 tackles, 2 TFL, 6 PDs, 4 INTs, 1 FF) – The former undrafted wide receiver has been playing at an unbelievably high level this season. Like teammate Fred Jackson, an example of what happens when hard work and lots of heart pays off.

2nd team – Yeremiah Bell, Miami Dolphins (64 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD, 1 FR) – Bell has been one of the few bright spots on the Miami defense. He’s their most consistent guy in the defensive backfield.

Free Safeties

1st team – Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills (56 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 5 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF, 1 FR) – Byrd has shaken off a sophomore slump to become one of the most complete safeties in the entire league. Byrd, who struggled against the run in his rookie season, has become a force in the Bills run defense and is getting a reputation for being a big hitter.

2nd team – Patrick Chung, New England Patriots (55 tackles, 1 sack, 4 PD, 1 INT) – There is no sophomore slump for Chung who has been the most consistent defender in the Pats defensive backfield.

Punters

1st team – Brandon Fields, Miami Dolphins (48.6 avg., 40.7 net, 17 IN20, 70 long) – Fields may have been getting a lot of work in the first half of the season but at least he is making it count. He has the highest net, the longest punt, and the most pins inside the 20 in the division.

2nd team – Brian Moorman, Buffalo Bills (49.5 avg., 38.5 net, 9 IN20, 66 long) – This was a dog fight with Zoltan Mesko but Moorman has Mesko in everything but the net avg. so the Bills vet gets the nod.

A lot of people like to do a list of their mid-season all-stars to feel self important and I am no exception. This is my All-AFC East Team – 11 starters on offense, 11 starters in a 3-4 defense, and 4 special teamers. Today will be the offense and kicker and tomorrow I will unveil the defense and punter. Here is the AFC East First Half All-Pro Offense (1st team write up, second team in parenthesis)

Quarterbacks

1st team – Tom Brady, New England Patriots (212 of 321, 2,703 yards, 20 TDs, 10 INTs, 66.0 comp. %, 100.0% QBR) – It’s been another banner year for Pats QB Tom Brady. He hasn’t been efficient as he has in years past, including last year when he had an unreal 36/4 TD/INT ratio. But his stats for the first half of the year are as gaudy as anyone’s in the league and he’s leading a Patriots offense that is one of the best passing attacks in the league. He’ll be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year again

2nd team – Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills (170 of 260, 1,930 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTS, 65.4 comp. %, 92.3% QBR) – Fitzpatrick has emerged as the Bills’ long term answer at QB, a stature made official with a contract extension signed two weeks ago. Fitzpatrick is once again on pace to put up numbers that only rival that of Jim Kelly and Drew Bledsoe in the past twenty years for this Bills franchise.

Running Backs

1st team – Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (150 car. for 803 yards, 5.4 avg., 6 TDs, 1,194 total yards) – Jackson is far and away the best halfback in the AFC East. He’s already got 1,194 total yards halfway through the season, which is on pace to eclipse O.J. Simpson’s single season Bills record. He’s also on pace to crush his previous career high for rushing yards in a season. He is the workhorse behind a potent Bills offense and like Brady will be a candidate for NFL MVP at the end of the year.

2nd team – BenJarvus Green-Ellis (108 car. for 452 yards, 4.2 avg., 5 TDs, 501 total yards) – Green-Ellis narrowly beats out Reggie Bush because he’s been more in touches (and scores) and Shonn Greene because he is more consistent in average per carry. Green-Ellis is the workhorse in a Patriots offense that uses many different pieces.

Fullbacks

1st team – John Conner, New York Jets (7 car. for 26 yards, 3.7 avg., 1 TD, 35 total yards) – Conner is emerging as a top fullback in the league this year. He’s been by far the most versatile fullback in the division this season, contributing in the rushing, passing, and blocking games.

2nd team – Corey McIntyre, Buffalo Bills (No stats) – McIntyre hasn’t been utilized as a ball-handler in the Bills offense this year but he is a physical load. He is a grinder who opens up huge holes for Fred Jackson in the short yardage and goal line situations and Brad Smith in the wildcat formation.

Wide Receivers

1st team – Wes Welker, New England Patriots (66 cat. for 960 yards, 6 TDs, 42 1Ds) – Welker has been off the wall this season and is on pace for his best season to date. He is one of Tom Brady’s security blankets and is virtually impossible to cover with Brady throwing him the ball. Oh, and he’s a free agent at year’s end so don’t look for him to slow down any time soon.

1st team – Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins (46 cat. for 644 yards, 2 TDs, 31 1Ds) – Marshall edges out Stevie Johnson for the second WR starting spot on my team. He’s made headlines for what he’s said off the field so for this year but what he has done on the field has been nothing to sneeze at.

2nd team – Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills (42 cat. for 523 yards, 4 TDs, 28 1Ds) – Johnson was edged out by Marshall for first team honors but makes a fine first receiver off the bench. Johnson is one of the best route runners in the league.

2nd team – David Nelson, Buffalo Bills (35 cat. for 402 yards, 3 TDs, 19 1Ds) – Nelson beats out Deion Branch for the last WR spot on the team with a bit more consistency. Nelson has seen fewer targets but has more receptions. Nelson’s hands are as sure as anyone’s in the league and as such a big target he gets to balls that other receivers can’t.

Tight Ends

1st team – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (44 cat. for 596 yards, 6 TDs, 34 1Ds) – Gronkowski is a beast in the passing game, plain and simple. He is versatile, he can block and catch, but he is most dangerous in the middle of the field where his big body and athleticism make him incredibly difficult to defend.

2nd team – Dustin Keller, New York Jets (29 cat. for 436 yards, 2 TDs, 21 1Ds) – THE AFC East tight end pool is deep with Aaron Hernandez and Scott Chandler also getting consideration but Keller is just two big a part of the Jets offense to overlook. He is their best receiver through the first half of the season.

Tackles

1st team – Jake Long, Miami Dolphins – Long’s Dolphins might only have one win but Long is still among the best left tackles in the game in 2011. Reggie Bush’s 4.9 yards per carry would help speak to that.

1st team – Wayne Hunter, New York Jets – Hunter is probably not the best tackle on his team (see below) but he is the best right tackle in the division with Sebatian Vollmer splitting early time with rookie Nate Solder.

2nd team – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets – Ferguson is definitely not a high first round disappointment for the Jets, playing again at a extremely high level while guarding Mark Sanchez’s blind side.

2nd team – Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots – Vollmer has been plagued by health problems and has dealt with the emergence of fellow right tackle Nate Solder but is consistent as ever when he’s in there.

Guards

1st team – Andy Levitre, Buffalo Bills – Levitre has been a monster this season for the Bills. He’s done all that’s been asked of him, including kicking out to left tackle the past two games for the Bills’ injured tackles. Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked just twice in those two games.

1st team – Brian Waters, New England Patriots – Waters was a great veteran pickup by the Patriots just before the start of the regular season. Waters has stabilized a line that was inconsistent at time for the Pats last season.

2nd team – Logan Mankins, New England Patriots – Mankins is having another great season, just not one as good as Andy Levitre’s up in Buffalo. Mankins is the anchor for the Pats offensive line.

2nd team – Vernon Carey, Miami Dolphins – Carey has not skipped a beat moving inside from right tackle to right guard this year, playing at his usually high level and being a beast in the run game.

Centers

1st team – Nick Mangold, New York Jets – Mangold missed a few games earlier this year due to a high ankle sprain but he is by far the best center in the NFL when healthy. He is dominant virtually any time out there. He was sorely missed during his injury, a huge blow to the Jets offense

2nd team – Eric Wood, Buffalo Bills – Wood is playing at a Pro Bowl level in his first season back at his college position. He would probably a 1st teamer if he was in any other division, or Mangold wasn’t in his. He might be the best pull center in the league.

Kickers

1st team – Nick Folk, New York Jets (12-13 FGs, 23-23 XPs, 50 long) – Folk has been the most consistent kicker in the division, only missing once and being 2 out of 3 from over 50 yards out.

2nd team – Rian Lindell, Buffalo Bills (13-15 FGs, 25-25 XPs, 49 long) – Lindell has had his usual consistent season with 13 makes, including a game winner against the Patriots. Unfortunately he will miss the next 4-6 games for the Bills with a shoulder injury.

With a pretty monumental week on the AFC East slate of games for Week 9, here’s some of what I see from the four teams heading into the official halfway point of the NFL season:

I’m not sure what is up with the Pats on third down but they are just not getting it done when it counts. You’ve got to give credit to Steelers DC Dick Lebeau though, he moved away from his traditional zone defense and played man-to-man and surprised and stymied the vaunted Pats offense.

All that being said I don’t envy the New York Giants going into Foxboro this weekend for the first time since ruining the Pats perfect season in the Super Bowl back in 2007. It doesn’t matter how many of these guys on either team weren’t here back then, there’s only one guy who matters and that’s Bill Belichick. And rest assured, he will be out for blood.

You have to think that the young and hungry Bills team is going to play against the Jets next week with a chip on their shoulder after the lackluster experience up in Toronto. The Ralph should be pretty loud. This is probably the game of the week.

When was the last time CBS sent their #1 broadcasting team to a Bills game two weeks in a row?

It was an interesting decision by Rex Ryan, who is 0-2 coming off of the bye, giving the team a full 6 days off to begin the bye week. The Jets will have to make sure that they shake off any rust early on offense because they don’t want to fall behind early in a hostile environment.

Enjoy your week of captaincy, Aaron Maybin

I don’t even know what to say about the Dolphins. I don’t want to come out and say that it’s by design but a couple more games like the last two and you really have to start wonder. Say what you will about the Colts but at least they are going to win the Luck sweepstakes, if they do win it, by merit because they can’t beat anybody.

That being said, how many fans of the Bills, Jets and Patriots are going to start becoming Dolphins fans on weeks where they are not facing them?

It’s tough to say where we will end up by time we get to the end of the season. You want to say the Pats will be sitting comfortably on top of the division by time the year ends but who would have thought that they’d be tied with the Bills going into the halfway point? Their toughest game on the schedule happened this past weekend and unless Philly is on fire when they go in there, there aren’t really any games that stick out on the schedule that look like they are going to be a huge challenge for the Pats. The Jets December schedule is similar but they have an important 4 week stretch where they play the Bills and Pats 3 out of the next 4 games. These 3 games will make or break their playoff hopes. The Bills are the interesting case. You might say almost all of their remaining games are tough but can you honestly say that San Diego or Dallas are a better team than the Bills at this point? At least we can pencil in the Dolphins in the cellar.

Is there anything worse than getting arrested for indecent assault and battery a day after you are a healthy scratch when you are on a Bill Belichick coached football team?

I know it’s Tuesday but I like the Pats and Bills this weekend. Both teams 6-2 heading into the second half of the season with the Jets on their heels at 4-4. We will see on Sunday.